LaFayette is honoring law enforcement officers that provided LaFayette with safety and protection on the April’s Portraits of Honor display. On Wednesday, April 7, the new portraits displayed in downtown LaFayette on the top windows of the once known McClendon building, honor seven men who are no longer with us but conveyed the strength, courage and valor to serve and protect.
LaFayette Main Street displays the Portraits of Honor project to remember the accomplishments of many who throughout the years impacted LaFayette’s culture and society. “These portraits provide to so many memories of their loved ones. Our law enforcement officers in LaFayette have been, and forever will be, commended for their service, courage, and strength”, said LaFayette Main Street Executive Director DeAnna Hand.
Portraits include: (Left to right)
James C. Morgan, Sr.
Our family moved to LaFayette in 1965 when our dad, James C. Morgan Sr, was hired as Chief of Police. Dad remained as Police Chief with the City of LaFayette until he ran for and was elected as Sheriff of Chambers County in 1970.
Dad had previously started his career in law enforcement in 1962 with the Camp Hill Police Department. First as a patrolman and later as Chief of Police. Prior to that dad served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 during World War II. After returning from the war and before beginning a career in law enforcement dad worked a variety of jobs including working in the cotton mill, as a mechanic, and in the pulpwood business, just to name a few. Because of these jobs dad was able to relate to people in all walks of life when he started his career in law enforcement. That’s probably why he was so well loved by the community because he didn’t meet a stranger.
Dad was elected Sheriff in 1970 and served the people of Chambers County for 24 years before his retirement in 1995. Upon his retirement he was sworn into the office of Supernumerary Sheriff, an office he held until his death in 2016. Even after retirement he was always willing to help in any way the community needed. One of his favorite community projects was working with Valley Haven School. He volunteered countless hours and always looked forward to the annual LaFayette Day for Valley Haven. Another organization that held a special place in dads’ heart was working with the Alabama Sheriffs Girls and Boys Ranches.
Dad taught us all his life that no one person was better than another and to always be willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. We could fill up a book if we tried to list all the different committees and offices dad served in during his law enforcement career, not to mention the numerous awards and recognition he received over the years. But he was most proud of his children and his grandchildren.
Our dad left behind a legacy of leadership and serving others not just for his children and grandchildren, but for his entire community.
Respectfully submitted by the children of James and Louise Morgan,
James Morgan Jr
Faye Morgan Ford
Randy Morgan
Pam Morgan Hadaway
Russell Morgan
Randolph (Stony) Bledsoe
Randolph (Stony) Bledsoe Retired in 1984 as the first black police officer in LaFayette. He was born in Calhoun County, grew up in LaFayette, Alabama. He earned a bachelor degree in tailoring at Alabama A. & M college, Normal AL. After graduating he served two years in the United States Marine Corps where he received an honorable discharge. He was a member of Eastern Lodge #501, he worked with NAACP, & ADC where he received several certificates, and A member of Alabama A & M Alumni Chapter. He was a deacon at Macedonia Baptist Church, Five Points, Al. He was Married to the former Honorable Mayor Beatrice Geneva Bledsoe.
Mike Looser
Mike Looser was born and raised in LaFayette Alabama. Mike attended LaFayette high school where he was a highly recruited football player. He ended up signing to Auburn University and becoming an Auburn Tiger.
Mike ended up marrying his high school sweetheart Barbara Ford. Mike and Barbara had two children Ed Looser and Cindy Sanders. The family found their way back to LaFayette. Mike started his law enforcement career as a jailer at Chambers County jail. He worked his way up in Chambers County to becoming a Chief Investigator. Mike worked in Chambers County under Sheriff James Morgan for 10 years before he continued his law enforcement career as a police chief for LaFayette.
Mike was known as a kind soul who would help anyone but would also hold them accountable for their actions. Mike served as LaFayette’s police chief for 10 years even holding the position as president for the Alabama Police Chief’s association. Mike taught his community many different lessons such as striving to do the right thing. His kids hold this lesson true to heart and have passed this down to their own children and grandchildren. One lesson Mike taught his family is family and friends are everything. Making an impact on others means your legacy will live on forever. Mike’s legacy not only lives on through his family but also the numerous amounts of individuals he came in contact with.
J’mar Colin Abel
J’mar Colin Abel was born to the union of Martin F. Abel, Sr. and the late Tina R. Abel on May 14, 1998 in Huntsville, Alabama. At a young age, J’Mar received Christ while attending Talladega Church of God and visiting various other churches. He received his formal education in the Madison County School System and was a 2016 graduate of Columbia High School in Huntsville, Alabama. J’Mar attended Kansas Christian College in Overland Park, Kansas receiving a degree in general studies.
At the time of his passing, J’Mar had been employed with Chambers County Sheriff’s Office for the past two years. Deputy J’Mar Colin Abel was a beloved officer, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and most of all a soon to be father who was desperately awaiting the arrival of his precious unborn daughter, Gianna Janette Abel. He loved law enforcement and had high ambitions of eventually working with the U.S. Marshalls. Deputy Abel enjoyed serving and protecting his community and although we feel a collective sense of loss as we honor his dedication, bravery and commitment to Chambers County and the surrounding areas, we must also remember that Deputy Abel gave his life while working to serve and protect others. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. He was loved by everyone and always had a contagious smile that could brighten up any dark moment. Those close to Deputy Abel described him as a selfless, kind-hearted, well-mannered respectful young man who was incredibly passionate about his law enforcement career with a bright future ahead. He excelled in the exacting nature his job required. Deputy Abel made and earned a high level of respect from so many of his peers, colleagues, and the county he bravely served. When he wasn’t on duty, his fiancée, Jasmine, stated he was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed being outdoors, his family and traveling. Deputy Abel touched the lives of so many people in such a short amount of time and was able to accomplish so much prior to his untimely passing.
The day of Deputy Abel’s passing marked his second-year anniversary with Chambers County Sheriff Department. On Monday, June 20, 2022, Deputy J’mar Colin Abel’s earthly life ended while in the line of duty. Deputy J’Mar Colin Abel is truly be missed immensely by his family and all the hearts and lives he has encountered throughout his 24-year walk of life.
Jason A. Fuller
Captain Jason A. Fuller was born on September 28th, 1973 in Langdale, Alabama. Jason was a Christian who accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age at Oakside Christian School. He was an Eagle Scout. He was a Captain with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office where he had served since 2001. Jason treated all those he served with highest level of respect. He would perform any task assigned to him properly and without complaint.
Eddy M. Ware
Chief Eddy M. Ware, was born and raised in Randolph County. He served on Board of Deacons at Friendship Baptist Church, Bacon Level Community, Roanoke, AL. He also was active in the Southwestern Union District and the Laymen’s Department. Eddy was sterling example in public service. He perfected himself in the Military Domain and Law Enforcement. He earned himself the administration and respect of those who knew him. He was an active member of the Alabama National Guard Det. I3058 Maintenance Company, was deployed to Germany where he was honorably served during “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. He truly loved and enjoyed serving his Country, State, and Community.
He worked as Sheriff in Wedowee, AL, as a Correctional Officer for the Alabama Department Of Corrections. In 2000, Eddy became the first African American Chief of Police in LaFayette, AL. He was very knowledgeable of his duties and served the citizens well. Eddy was married to Sandra Bledsoe Ware.
Robert Lewis Williams
Born to sharecroppers Robert was the oldest of four children. He completed his education at Chambers County Training School. Living in the south was hard. He knew he wanted better for his wife and four little children. He moved to Detroit Michigan. While in Michigan he worked various jobs making good money. Due to the death of his wife’s brother that dream came to an end. Robert returned to Lafayette and the slowly changing times of the South.
Robert Lewis, (as he is affectingly called by those who truly knew him) joined Lafayette Police Dept August 1967. He became one of the two first Black Police Officers for the City of Lafayette. Upon accepting this position, it became his second job. You see my father always worked 2 or more jobs to support his family. That same year in (1967) October he welcomes his fifth child.
Working as a Police Officer opens eyes and a lot of doors. It gave other Black Citizens encouragement to apply for jobs that were once unavailable to minorities. Being a policeman gives you the opportunity to connect with the public. This allows you to detect their need for assistance. For decades people would come to our house for assistance with their forms. His service/assistance would range from completing applications for new housing, purchase of land, and sometimes forms for youth trying to further their studies. You see, in our Eyes, my father was a great man. But he was not perfect. He’s just a forgotten Soul in this Generation.
In 1978, Robert Lewis joined Camp Hill Police Dept there he moved to the rank of Assistance Chief. He retired from there in1987. Still willing to do for others before himself. Our father’s Tour of Duty ended in May of 2000. He will always live in Our Hearts.
His Oldest daughter,
Mildred Williams-Kirk
In May, portraits of Educators from LaFayette will be displayed. LaFayette Main Street greatly accepts feedback, donations, and contributions in efforts to support and maintain this honorable project. Please mail to LaFayette Main Street, Post Office Box 116, LaFayette, AL 36862.
If you are interested in displaying a portrait, we welcome all nominations. Please email portrait and write up of nominee to dhand14@gmail.com. Deadline for educators nominations is April 24, 2023.
Special thanks again to LaFayette Main Street, the City of LaFayette, Main Street Alabama Resource Team, Piquarius Graphics, and these honorable individuals.